The world is watching. For years, we’ve been told that change takes time, that we must wait for the right moment, or for someone else to lead the charge. But here’s the truth: If you want to make a difference, the time is now—and it’s up to you to take action. You don’t have to wait until May 1, 2028, when the national general strike is scheduled. If you want to see change in your community, then take action now.

The political and economic forces that shape our lives have become increasingly detached from the everyday struggles of regular people. Corporate greed, economic inequality, and a political system that increasingly serves the powerful at the expense of the many—these are the issues that demand urgent attention. It’s time for communities to act. It’s time for a general strike. And you can lead it.

A Call to Action: Own Your Community’s Future

Iowa City, for example, might seem like a small place compared to the national stage, but you can make waves right there. Gather your neighbors, your coworkers, your local activists—coordinate and shut it down. A general strike in Iowa City would not only draw attention to the local issues that matter but would send a clear message that you are no longer willing to wait for distant leaders to make decisions that affect your community. You will make the news. You will be heard.

The general strike is a tool. It’s a form of protest where workers—those who drive the economy—refuse to participate in the system that is hurting them. It is the most powerful way to assert control over the system that benefits only the wealthy and powerful. If you shut down a city, even for one day, you will make an impact. The media will cover it. You will make people listen.

What You Need: Secure Communication and Coordination

But organizing a strike isn’t as simple as just walking off the job or stopping what you’re doing. It’s about coordinating your efforts, ensuring that your message is clear, and protecting your community from surveillance and retaliation. Fortunately, today’s technology gives you the tools to organize securely.

Use Signal, ProtonMail, or WhatsApp for encrypted communications. These tools will ensure that your plans remain secure, keeping you out of reach from those who might try to stop you before you even begin. Tor can help you remain anonymous while organizing online, keeping your identity protected while you strategize.

It’s critical that you follow communication discipline—stick to the encrypted tools, avoid discussing sensitive plans in public spaces, and keep your actions focused. The more organized and secure you are, the less chance there is for disruption or infiltration by those who want to prevent real change.

Your Community, Your Strike, Your Future

You don’t need to wait for 2028 or a national leader to inspire you. If you want to shut down Iowa City, then shut it down. You have the power to make your own strike, organize your own community, and get your message out. Whether it’s demanding higher wages, fairer treatment for workers, or holding elected officials accountable, your strike will be an undeniable statement.

Remember, every great change begins with small, local actions. The civil rights movement didn’t wait for national policy; the workers’ movements didn’t wait for politicians to act. They took action, and they made their voices heard. So can you.

Make it happen. The system isn’t going to change itself, and it certainly won’t change without you.

APA References

Proton Technologies. (2024, March 21). ProtonMail: Encrypted email for privacy. https://protonmail.com/

Signal Foundation. (2024, January 5). Signal: The most secure messaging app. https://signal.org/

WhatsApp. (2024, February 25). WhatsApp end-to-end encryption. https://www.whatsapp.com/

Tor Project. (2024, February 19). Tor: Protect your privacy online. https://www.torproject.org/